Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis SS
Right now the manual is a rumor but lets hope they do offer it. While I have no reason I would want to own one, it's a nice option to cover all the bases with car enthuses. 
By the way just because it's not a stick doesn't mean you cell phone has to be stuck in your hand. Most racecar series now use the paddle shift automatics to compete and it is fun to drive. I think NASCAR is about the only main stream series left that shift gears. Since that is the case that's why your seeing less manuals in the retail market. People that are going to the track know the manual is the slower option and owners that drive them everyday in rush hour don't want to shift gears as well. That leaves a very narrow market that wants to drive back roads on the weekend and shift gears. JMHO
If you know your Corvette marketing history the Corvette has really never been after the Ferraris, Lambos or even the McLaurens owner market. The goal was to offer the Mid-level manager type salary person that can't afford a European supercar a more affordable option. The cars you listed above for the most part are $250,000,00 plus cars. The C8 Corvette if they go with the rumors will start around $60,000.00 to $65,000.00 well below any of the supercars but compete on their level. This allows GM to build a production line sports car that allows a lot of us the ability to live our dreams..
I always had a Corvette poster on my wall as a kid. When I was in my mid 30s I bought my first C4 and then few years later a new C5 so dreams do come true  |
I can't think of anything more boring then watching two late model automatic so called muscle cars going down a quarter mile track taking 12 seconds , sorry but that's just not fast at a drag strip. I have a few friends that run gen 4 Camaros with LS1s and 6speeds that would blow the doors off those cars .No matter how fast the automatics are on paper its just all water cooler chatter until you have to drive them . Don't get me wrong if i ran an 8 second car i would want a automatic but it wouldn't have 10 speeds that's for sure . On a road course at a non professional level just get a manual and have a blast , and believe it or not most there are manuals . I highly doubt GM will forget that fact that its manual transmissions and V8s that got these cars where they are today , after all we are not talking about Fords .
Motorsports sucks these days by the way , i can't watch F1 at all and have trouble watching Nascar which i have grown up watching . I do like live events , i get to Watkins Glen , Jersey Motor sports and Dover every year, that i enjoy.